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Pittsfield NH News

October 25, 2017

The Suncook Valley Sun News Archive is Maintained by Modern Concepts. We are NOT affliated in any way with the Suncook Valley Sun Newspaper.



 

Happy 30th Birthday to Erin Webber!

 


 

Pittsfield Parks-Rec 

Basketball Sign-Ups

Grades K-6th

Sign-ups will be Nov. 4 & 5 at the Community Center, 8 AM-12 noon.

Any questions, contact Darrell Wages at 603-812-6741.

 


 

Grace

Submitted By Mike Mavity, Pastor, Joy Church

 

I’ve been spending a lot of time reading through and speaking on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the most well known sermon ever preached. Jesus took the opportunity to share his views of God’s Kingdom during this sermon. He told us things like, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” and “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” He also lays down some heavy stuff regarding how we conduct our lives. He told us to watch our anger because it’s as dangerous as murder. He taught us about lust and adultery and divorce. He even told us to love our enemies! 

 

As I’ve read over the Sermon on the Mount, I’ve felt pangs of conviction in my heart. His teachings about love, peacemaking, anger, lust, and divorce really hit home for me. I sometimes wish I could just skip over these things and get to the good parts about how much God loves me. The truth is, though, that I’ve discovered how much God loves me through these difficult words from Jesus. I don’t measure up to these words. I fail, at one time or another, at almost all of them. 

 

However, I can see God’s great love for me through them because His amazing grace is demonstrated by the fact that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. God sees my shortcomings and how I fail in the very way Jesus tells me to live, and He loves me enough to send Jesus here to be my reconciliation to Him. That’s amazing grace! And, through that grace He also gives me the opportunity to live unashamed in front of Him. Scripture tells us that we are the righteousness of God through Jesus. This means that God looks at me and sees righteousness and not all the unrighteous junk that litters my past. So, He looks at me and sees righteousness because of His own grace toward me. Like I said before, that’s amazing grace!

 


 

Pittsfield Senior Center News Eating For The Seasons

 

On Tuesday, October 31, at 10:30 AM Judy Cook is coming back to The Pittsfield Senior Center.

 

As a Certified Health Coach and Occupational Therapist, she will expand and enhance your knowledge on how to make simple/easy changes for you to feel better, have more energy, and decrease joint discomfort. The Program is “Eating for the Seasons.”

 

Chinese Medicine believes the world is a harmonious and holistic entity, where we as human beings are viewed in relation to the surrounding environment. We take our cue from nature. We are influenced directly and indirectly by the change of seasons. So how can we support our body through the change of seasons to maximize our health and wellbeing? This presentation will help you answer these questions. The session is open to all in the community because no matter what age you are there can always be improvement in our health.

 


 

Pittsfield Masons Celebrate 150th Anniversary

Submitted By Larry Berkson

 

[Writers’ Note: The Masons celebrated their 150th Anniversary on Saturday evening, October 14. The following article was developed from remarks presented at the occasion]

 

Pittsfield Huse.jpg

Corinthian Lodge #82, Free and Accepted Masons-Pittsfield, was founded on July 30, 1867.  Its first Worthshipful Master was Henry H. Huse, later a prominent attorney in Manchester, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and State Insurance Commissioner. A patriotic, benevolent organization, it is dedicated to a unifying understanding of God and the betterment of humanity, providing relief to the needy and helpless in the community, with members bound together by high moral standards. 

 

Location of its Lodges

The first meetings of the Lodge were held in the Thorndike Block which stood where the Union Block on Main Street is now located.  In 1870 the building was thoroughly renovated and a Mansard roof placed on top of it. Hiram A. Tuttle, businessman extraordinaire and future New Hampshire Governor, fitted up lodge rooms for the organization.  The main hall was illuminated by two large, elegant chandeliers with four burners in each.  New carpeting was installed in nearly all of the rooms. 

 

Unfortunately, those quarters were destroyed in the Valentine’s Day fire of 1876.  The Lodge lost its charter, jewels, and furniture. Fortunately, the seal and records were in the secretary’s home and were not destroyed. The Masons then moved into the GAR Building on Depot Street, which was on the site presently occupied by the Pittsfield Players.

 

The organization purchased a new solid silver set of jewels and working tools.  A Bible was donated by the wives of Masons.  Other items were purchased in the amount of $269, equivalent in today’s money to $4,755.  

 

During the summer of 1881 interested Lodge members formed a Masonic Hall Association and incorporated under the laws of the State of New Hampshire.  The Association obtained a lease from the town for the attic in the Old Meetinghouse for a term of 50 years on condition that it keep the roof in good repair, pay a rent of $1.00 per year, make no unlawful or offensive use of the quarters, collect no waste on the premises, maintain the rooms in good condition, and not assign the lease without written permission.

 

The Association immediately got to work remaking a third floor by tearing off the old roof and replacing it with a Mansard roof. It also built a tower with stairs on the west side of the building leading to the upper floor. The third floor was divided into a 16′ x 40′ banquet hall which opened into the lodge room by two large folding doors, a 20′ x 16′ kitchen which opened directly into the banquet hall, and a 21′ x 10′ reception room which opened directly into the kitchen, a 5′ x 5′ Tyler’s room used by a member to prepare the lodge room and guard the door, and a 6′ x 10′ preparation room.

 

A furnishings committee did an excellent job of outfitting the lodge. The walls were a bluish tint, all the rooms were carpeted, the officer’s chairs were of black walnut, upholstered with maroon colored wool, and the hall was surrounded by black walnut settees similarly upholstered. The alter, pedestals, treasurers and secretaries tables were also of black walnut. The pedestals and alter, made by undertaker Lewis Bunker, were topped with marble slabs. 

 

Eight light chandeliers illuminated the rooms covered with Masonic emblemed globes. On the desks were two beautiful lamps presented to the Lodge by George A. Sanborn of Boston. His connection to Pittsfield has not been learned. These new modern quarters were dedicated on December 29, 1881. 

 

However, the new facility lacked some of the conveniences we take for granted today. Water and gas lights were not installed until 1892,  a water closet not until 1907,  and electric lights not until 1911.

 

Pittsfield Dustin.jpg

The Masons continued meeting in their comfortable rooms until 1949. That year Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Dustin gave the organization the former Pittsfield Academy on Park Street.  The new lodge was dedicated on Friday, January 21 with Master George R. Cotton, in charge of ceremonies. Three hundred people attended. Mr. Dustin was presented with gold cuff links with Masonic emblems and Mrs. Dustin was honored with a dozen red roses and an orchid.

 

The Masons have remained at that location ever since.

 

Its Benevolent Activities

From the very beginning the organization undertook benevolent activities for its own members. Between 1872 and 1915, it paid for the burial of 15 Brothers.  In 1887 it gave $31.00 to assist a Brother with Typhoid Fever.  Later that year it established a Relief Committee to assist needy members which was authorized to spend up to $25.00 in emergency cases. Other examples abound. A notable one was in 1931 when a destitute Brother in California needed help. Twenty-five dollars was sent to him and when he passed away the Masons paid for a grave marker. 

 

The Masons also took care of needy widows. One of the more substantial was support for the Ralph Brewster Family after he had been murdered in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1928, the organization gave $150 each year for several years. During the 1930s the Masons arranged for Annie B. Lane and Annie L. Fitts to reside in the Masonic Home in Manchester.  Each year for several years it sent a $5.00 Christmas gift to both.  More recently in 1990 the Masons sent money to assist the daughter of a Brother who had a drug problem. 

 

The Masons assisted other organizations as well. For example, in 1888 it allowed the Women’s Temperance Christian Union to use the hall and kitchen free of charge,  in 1901 the Old Home Week Committee,  in 1904 the Knights of Pythias and Grange after their quarters in the Batchelder Block were destroyed by fire, and in 1905 when an Order of Eastern Star was formed.  In 1950, during the Cold War, it was made available to the Civil Defense organization. 

 

Many other worthy causes were supported by the early Masons. In 1889, for example, they gave money to the Masonic Orphans Home,  and in 1906 to Brothers suffering the effects of the San Francisco earth quake.  In 1913 they supported Brothers in Ohio who were suffering from the great flood of that year, and in 1928 they gave money to support victims of a hurricane in Puerto Rico.  Beginning in 1987 they supported the Children’s Alcohol Abuse Program.       

 

In recent years the organization has donated to the Shriners, the DARE Program, and the Masonic Home in Manchester through its Grand Lodge.  It also holds a Toy Drive at Christmas for the less fortunate, gives Christmas trees to those who cannot afford them, and provides quarters for Pittsfield Youth Workshop.    

 

Its Members

From the very beginning the Corinthian Lodge was comprised of some of the most prominent members of the Pittsfield community.  Naturally, the largest number was from Pittsfield, nearly 350. Next was Barnstead with nearly 150. Epsom, Chichester, Loudon, and Gilmanton also provided substantial numbers. About 25 towns provided five or fewer members.  

 

The ages of members at the time of joining has varied widely. Several have joined at the age of 21. The oldest was 77. Most, however, join in their 20s and 30s.  

 

The organization’s members have come from all walks of life. The largest numbers were workers in the shoe industry, which dominated the life of Pittsfield for a century, and merchants, with nearly 50 members from each group. Many have been farmers, clerks, students, salesmen, and carpenters. There have been at least nine doctors, seven bankers, seven dentists, seven electricians, and six attorneys, as well as numerous others with different occupations.  

 

Several members have had reputations extending far beyond the local borders of Pittsfield. Among the most illustrious have been: 

 

Eralsey C. Ferguson, a farmer, manufacturer, selectman, school board member, legislator and president of the state senate.

 

George E. Freese, Jr. an industrialist, president of Globe, member of the state House of Representatives, and vice president of the State Senate.

 

John Cate French, President of the New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company and trustee of banks, hospitals and libraries.

 

Charles H. Lane, a contractor who not only built the Opera House Block, Elm Block, and present Town Hall, but all the railroad depots above Plymouth on the Pemigewasset River. 

 

Moses Norris, Jr., an attorney, county solicitor, state legislator, member of the Governor’s Council, Speaker of the State House of Representatives and a U. S. Senator.

 

Dr. Richard P. J. Tenney, a member of the Governor’s Council, president of Pittsfield Academy, and president of the New Hampshire Medical Society. 

 

Harrison R. Thyng, a Brigadier General, World War II and Korea flying ace, and Republican candidate for the U. S. Senate.

 

Hiram A. Tuttle, a businessman extraordinaire, state legislator, member of the Governor’s Council, and Governor of New Hampshire.

 

Of the dozen or so fraternal societies that have been formed in Pittsfield, the Free and Accepted Masons is the only one still in existence today.

 


 

Inside Once Upon A Mattress –

Sir Harry and Lady Larkin

 

The Pittsfield Players are gearing up for another great fall musical, and they’re turning the Scenic Theatre stage into a magical castle in preparation for the hilarious musical comedy Once Upon A Mattress. Two of the characters in the show are Sir Harry and Lady Larkin, who are madly in love… well, at least Lady Larkin feels that way… and facing an upcoming dilemma together. Bringing these two characters to life on the stage are Kevin Kennedy and Adrianna Williams.

 

Pittsfield Players Kennedy.jpg

Kevin Kennedy is creating the role of Sir Harry, a dashing knight who takes on a brave mission to find a princess for Prince Dauntless to marry. Kevin studied theater many years ago, and then discovered that he liked to eat more than he liked performing on the stage. Just before leaving the stage to study Accounting, Kevin played the role of the “Barber” in Man of La Mancha, and then finally, he returned to the Scenic stage in 2011, once again appearing in Man of La Mancha, this time playing the role of Dr. Caracas. Since then, Kevin has performed regularly with the Players, playing the roles of Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Lt. Cable in South Pacific and most recently Curly in Oklahoma!. Kevin’s day job is as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner at his own firm - Maloney and Kennedy, but he thoroughly enjoys the change of pace and the ability to exercise his artistic side performing with the Players. Kevin can also be heard on Sundays singing in the choir at the Pittsfield Congregational Church.

 

Pittsfield Players Williams.jpg

Adrianna Williams is making her debut with the Pittsfield Players as Lady Larkin, a damsel in some distress. A recent graduate of Noble High School, Adrianna lives in Lebanon, Maine, and makes the commute to Pittsfield for rehearsals three times a week because she has always loved the show Once Upon A Mattress and wanted the opportunity to perform with the Players.  She started acting in 2015 in Shrek, The Musical with Noble High School, and then went on to appear with the Sanford Main Stage in the role of  Belle/Victoria/Henrietta in A Christmas Carol, and Darlene in You Know The Old Slaying. She also recently worked on costumes and set with Noble High School’s All Shook Up. She will be attending the University of New Hampshire majoring in pre-dental and minoring in musical theatre. Adrianna is just one of the talented newcomers to the Players that are appearing in Once Upon A Mattress.

 

Once Upon A Mattress will run at The Scenic Theatre Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 10, 11 and 12, and again the following Friday and Saturday, November 17 and 18. All shows are at 7:30 pm, except the Sunday matinee which is at 2 pm. All tickets are $17 and are on sale right now. You can purchase tickets by visiting the Players’ website, www.pittsfieldplayers.com, and clicking on the TicketLeap button, or you can reserve seats by calling 435-8852 and leaving your name, phone number and the date you want to come to see the show and we’ll call you back to confirm your reservation. Please remember to spell your name when leaving your message. We’ll have your tickets waiting for you at the door the night of the show, and remember that we accept cash and checks only at the box office. Get your tickets now for this absolutely hilarious musical!

 


 

Friends Of The Josiah Carpenter Library Taking Poinsettia Preorders

 

The Friends of the Josiah Carpenter Library annual holiday poinsettia sale offers red, white or marble poinsettia plants for gift giving or display purposes. Plants may be preordered using the form found on the library web site or by coming into the library.

 

Payment must accompany the completed order form.

 

The plants, grown by Ledgeview Greenhouses in Loudon, NH, may be preordered through Wednesday, November 3, 2017.  The plants will be available for pick up at the Josiah Carpenter Library, 41 Main St., beginning at 2:30 pm on December 6, 2017. 

 

Plants are available in three colors and in four different sizes; 6.5 inch pots with 1 plant for $10.00, 7.5 inch pots with 2 plants for $16.75, 8.5 inch pot with 3 plants for $20.00 and 10 inch pot with 4 plants for $25.00. All proceeds will be used by the Friends group to benefit the Josiah Carpenter Library.

 

For further information, please call the library at 435-8406.

 


 


 

 











 

 

 

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